On Thursday night, Dallas Cowboys running back DeMarco Murray had 41 touches in a lopsided 41-28 victory over the Chicago Bears. For Murray, the workload was even larger than it normally is, but the man who is easing into his first rushing title isn't concerned. Murray amassed 228 all-purpose yards against Chicago, helping Dallas to move back into the NFC playoff picture.
DeMarco Murray feels ‘awesome’ despite heavy workload
Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Murray became the first player since Jerome Harrison of the Cleveland Browns in Dec. 2009 to accrue 40+ touches in a game, according to Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk. For a player who many felt was underutilized throughout his career by head coach Jason Garrett, Murray is now being run into the ground. However, the back has no complaints about his massive role in the offense, per David Helman of the team's website.
“I feel great, I feel awesome. The offensive line, they played well,” Murray said. “I just felt like we got back to our basic plays that we’re used to running - I’m familiar with, the O-Line is familiar with, everybody is familiar with.”
Murray has 1,606 rushing yards and only needs 500 more to break the single-season record set by Hall of Famer Eric Dickerson back in 1984. Murray also can tie a mark set by Barry Sanders if he rushes for at least 100 yards in each of the final three games, giving him 14 such contests in one season. To date, Murray has 373 touches this season.
It is fair to wonder if Dallas simply doesn't care about Murray's long-term future. Murray is set to become a free agent and the Cowboys drafted a running back last year in Julius Randle. Considering Dallas already has some cap problems and has Dez Bryant to re-sign, it makes a solid case that Murray could walk.
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